Research report
Choosing a heat pump
Our step-by-step guide will help you choose the right heat pump.
The journey to finding the right heat pump starts with calculating the required heating capacity (kW) for your home. Then, work your way through these steps.
1. How many kW?
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2. Heating/cooling efficiency
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3. Low-temperature performance
4. High-wall or floor-mount?
5. Noise levels
6. Extra features
7. Choose a good installer
8. Use it wisely
More on heat pumps
Compare heat pump reviews and specifications in our product database, plus find out more about choosing the best heat pump for your needs.
Member comments
23 Jul 2018
Re: Floor models, none recommended
Hi Michele,
Our results are from standard testing of heat pump models. That assesses the performance of the heat pump itself. In general, high wall models are more efficient – perhaps because they are more common and get more development from manufacturers. However, that testing doesn’t account for the position in the room. Mounting the heat pump close to the floor means it develops more convection – so in theory the heat will get distributed more evenly. But – be careful where they are located, as the heat at floor level can get blocked by furniture, whereas high wall models usually have a clear space.
The lower efficiency means that the floor-mounted models don’t score as highly. That being said, I would not say that you shouldn’t buy one as it may suit the space the best and some people don’t like the look of the high-walls. They can still do a good job at heating the home. The scores just show that there are more efficient models available.
Kind regards,
James, Consumer NZ writer
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